"I remember today, a conversation I had with Henry, a historic Arsenal player, who changed club for the same reason and today is my turn," he said.

Both Henry and Alexis, however, have now denied that the Frenchman had any say over the player's decision to quit Arsene Wenger's side.

Alexis wrote on Twitter: "I want to clarify that Henry never told me to leave the club, it was a personal decision. He LOVES the club and someday it would be nice to see him as the Arsenal coach because he loves the club."

Henry, meanwhile, wrote: "I know I don’t need to explain this to the majority of Arsenal fans but contrary to speculation at no time did I tell Alexis Sanchez to leave Arsenal.

"I had no idea he was going to sign for Man Utd until I saw it on the news like the rest of you."

I want to clarify that Henry never told me to leave the club, it was a personal decision ... he LOVES the club and someday it would be nice to see him as the arsenal coach because he loves the club ...
— Alexis Sánchez (@Alexis_Sanchez) January 24, 2018

I know I don’t need to explain this to the majority of Arsenal fans but contrary to speculation at no time did I tell Alexis Sanchez to leave Arsenal. I had no idea he was going to sign for Man Utd until I saw it on the news like the rest of you.
— Thierry Henry (@ThierryHenry) January 23, 2018